Any idea’s what this is?

[PhillB]

So, I stripped the paint off over the weekend ( I usually keep what I can of the original paint, but...there was nothing really to keep, it is going to get a respray...). These revealed a few interesting things.

A filled in dent on the top tube, a small hole in one of the chain stays - which I repaired. and some small traces of lilac/mauve paint on the head tube... OK so that wasn't that exciting.

What was confirmed is that this thing is 99% French - measuring the tubes for one thing and the headset is French threaded.

The spacing on the rear is 110mm and on the front and 98mm on the front - to fit the later front hub, someone had just the cones, with no retaining/locking nuts - so am going to have to find a solution for that!

I am going with the Radior - unless I get a better offer Plus - I have managed to track down a Radior chainset in France...

 

[bikeworkshop]

...and 98mm on the front - to fit the later front hub, someone had just the cones, with no retaining/locking nuts - so am going to have to find a solution for that!

Y

Before the 1950s, a lot of front hubs had no locknuts
- the cones I've seen often have a tiny step on the outside face to fit into the fork dropout

 

[PhillB]

Before the 1950s, a lot of front hubs had no locknuts
- the cones I've seen often have a tiny step on the outside face to fit into the fork dropout

That interesting - I'll have a look!

 

[jim haseltine]

Even after the 1950s too. One cone (the righthand I think) usually had no spanner flats and was screwed down to butt against a step on the axle, the other cone had spanner flats for adjustment. Fitment method was to lock up the right track nut, nip up the left track nut with fingers, adjust the bearing clearance then fully tighten the left nut. Sometimes it would take multiple attempts to find the best adjustment.

 

[PhillB]

Even after the 1950s too. One cone (the righthand I think) usually had no spanner flats and was screwed down to butt against a step on the axle, the other cone had spanner flats for adjustment. Fitment method was to lock up the right track nut, nip up the left track nut with fingers, adjust the bearing clearance then fully tighten the left nut. Sometimes it would take multiple attempts to find the best adjustment.

Yes mine is exactly like this - I noticed the step in the axle. The hubs are a later addition to the bike than the frame and are probably 1940's or later. I thought it might have been a bodge to facilitate the narrower OLD...but seems they are meant to be like this Thanks for the info!

 

[juvela]

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thanks for the updates

whenst ye disassembled headset didst thee find any markings upon steerer?


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[PhillB]

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thanks for the updates

whenst ye disassembled headset didst thee find any markings upon steerer?


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Alas, I did not. Not a thing

I can confirm it has a 25mm steerer with French threading though

Also top and Seat tube diameter is 26mm and Down tube 28mm

 

[PhillB]